Editor’s Note: Several hours after publishing this article, we learned DK Kitchen is now closed. We hope we haven’t become the death knell for Wichita restaurants.

Summer time! It means quite a few things to people, depending where you are in your life journey: school vacation, time for grilling out, and, if you’re me, it means beer and wine on the patio. I’m taking a little summer vacation from Tanya Tandoc’s recommendations and venturing to some restaurants that weren’t on her “favorited” list.

Recently a reader, Owen Strawn, suggested I check out DK Kitchen, located in the heart of downtown, 217 E. Douglas. The restaurant was opened in February by chef Douglas Pitts, formerly of the restaurant 626. Strawn said 626 was in the top two finest restaurants he had ever at at, even adding that he’d lived in Los Angeles for 13 years. So after a statement like that, I had to give DK Kitchen a try.

DK Kitchen is only open for lunch, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. I found parking to be a problem, since I’m not a downtown worker. If you work near in the Douglas & Main area, though, it would be a perfect stroll for lunch. The atmosphere is similar to a contemporary diner, including small tables with red chairs and a black, gray and white color palette on the walls.

The menu seemed rather small to me, but packed in several salad and sandwich options. My lunch date went for the shrimp, mango, avocado and goat gouda salad with a mint green goddess dressing. I took the sandwich approach and got a pulled pork, swiss, pickled jalapeno, mustard and mayo sandwich on a crusty roll. All sandwiches/burgers are served with French fries, but I opted to substitute a salad consisting of organic mixed greens, tomato, cucumber and a balsamic vinaigrette for $2 extra.

The portions seemed to be just right after our server delivered them. My lunch date’s salad looked great, with large shrimp adorning it. She said the mango was a great touch in the salad. My sandwich was delicious and had that added kick that I love with the pickled jalapeno. My favorite part was the side salad; during the summer, I definitely gravitate toward a fresh-tasting salad. I especially liked the balsamic vinaigrette.

Vegetarians, there are some options for you here as well. Several of the salads offer a gourmet set of ingredients that don’t include meat. One includes organic spinach, strawberries, almonds, and a gorgonzola vinaigrette. In the sandwich section, they offer a grilled cheese, but no particular “veggie sandwich” is listed.

Dining here regularly may be a stretch for me, since I’m an east-side working gal, but it was a good spot to check out, especially to see what a local Wichita chef has to offer. However, after I tell my boyfriend, the curry lover, that there is a curry chicken club sandwich, we may never get out of there.

Anyone else tried out the new DK Kitchen?

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